As a new school year begins, 4-Way is excited to return to Woodford Academy for the 6th year of the String Project! We are looking forward to reconnecting with students we already know, and meeting new ones. We also have a new student, who is somewhat older than our usual ones - Woodford’s principal, Mrs. Gray!

Mrs. Gray took over one year ago, during the height of Covid, and did a great job overseeing the online experience we all endured last year. Now that we are back in the building, she’s decided to join the orchestra class, as a beginner. We couldn’t be happier to have her - it means so much for kids to see an adult (and an authority figure) model the beginner’s mind and willingness to participate that’s so crucial to success. We sat down last week to talk a little about her vision for strings at Woodford, and why she wants to play such an active part. 

Mrs. Gray emphasized that offering a wide range of arts activities is central to Woodford’s identity, and that her own experience as a parent underscored their importance. Her own daughter really began to thrive in school once she discovered dance and theater, and the idea that these “different forms of learning” can catalyze a student’s academic and personal growth is fundamental to her vision as an educator. “Not every child will fall in love with reading or math - music is a different form of learning for them.”

Mrs. Gray also draws on her own experience as a 6th grade clarinet student - though it didn’t become “her thing”, she appreciated the emphasis on practice, discipline and form, and the fulfilling experience of performing for family and friends. Her decision to join the class was also influenced by seeing a colleague at her previous school do so - having the principal of an intermediate school take part in orchestra class made his students really excited, and boosted the participation rate tremendously. 

Most important, Mrs. Gray is focused on “closing the opportunity gap” with more affluent communities. As she puts it: “In these districts, music ed begins in preschool with parents bringing their children to the CSO’s Lollipops concerts. In our district, we often leave it to the schools to introduce it later. Why not create more opportunities for our students to close that gap?” And she sums it up perfectly - “Someone in this building is going to want to play the cello - they just don’t know it yet.”

We are so excited to have Mrs. Gray join us in orchestra, and for her championing this vital work. Stay tuned for updates about her progress, and the children she’ll inspire!